by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 10:00 AM ET, Fri March 6, 2026
The U.S. Embassy in Colombia sent a message to U.S. citizens warning that their travel may be affected by the country’s congressional elections and presidential primary on March 8, 2026, with land and sea borders expected to close March 7-9.
According to the statement issued March 6, Colombian authorities are closing land and sea borders starting at 6:00 p.m. local time on Saturday, March 7, and continuing until 6:00 a.m. local time on Monday, March 9.
They are also restricting alcohol sales.
The Embassy warns, “Protests are possible throughout the country over the weekend. Demonstrations and police deployments can create significant travel disruptions, such as road or travel facility closures. If you are planning on travel[ing] in Colombia this weekend, be sure to build in extra time or reconsider your plans.”
The Embassy encourages travelers to monitor local news, avoid demonstrations, comply with authorities, keep windows and car doors closed and locked, maintain vigilance, review personal security plans and consider sheltering in place if transportation routes or airports become inaccessible or closed.
An annual report from the United Nations found that Colombia is on the verge of “reverting to the serious human rights situation” it was in before a peace deal with its largest rebel group, according to the Associated Press.
Almost 100,000 people have been displaced due to violence in the country’s rural areas, and the upcoming elections might stir up more violence, including violence towards political candidates.
The U.S. State Department has categorized Colombia as a Level 3 risk since April, 2025, urging travelers to reconsider traveling to the country due to the risk of crime, kidnapping, terrorism and civil unrest.
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